163 Torah Book & Portion, Book of Genesis, Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22:24), Source Book Keys, TELVOL1 GENESIS | 22:5 return — GEN1134 One [is permitted to] mislead others so a... GEN1134 One [is permitted to] mislead others so as to avoid sharing information with them that they have no need – and no right – to know. When Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac, he set off for the mountain where God had instructed him to carry out the sacrifice, along with his son and several servants. When they arrived at the site, Abraham, who had no wish to share what he was planning to do with the servants, told them [this verse]. A short time later, God sent an angel to stop Abraham from carrying out the sacrifice (verse 12). But at the time Abraham told the servants, “we will return to you,” he had every reason to believe this to be a lie. Abraham apparently reasoned that what would happen that day was between God, Isaac, and himself, and did not concern the servants. Perhaps he also feared that if he simply said, “The boy and I will go up there,” and nothing more, they might follow along and thwart his intended sacrifice. TELVOL 1:449 Share Print Source KeyTELVOL1Verse22:5Keyword(s)returnSource Page(s)(See end of excerpt) Switch article GENESIS | 22:3 early — GEN1133 Zeal is a great virtue that promotes Tora... Previous Article GENESIS | 22:5 stay — GEN1135 The Hebrew root tz-n-[ayin], usual... Next Article